Risk of COVID-19 re-infection and its predictors (CORES): protocol for a community-based longitudinal cohort study in Vellore, India.
Title | Risk of COVID-19 re-infection and its predictors (CORES): protocol for a community-based longitudinal cohort study in Vellore, India. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2022 |
Authors | Madhavan R, Paul JSam, Babji S, Kumar D, Prabhu SB, Pulleri HKandi, Annadorai R, Gowda SRavi, John J, Kang G |
Journal | BMJ Open |
Volume | 12 |
Issue | 5 |
Pagination | e059869 |
Date Published | 2022 May 24 |
ISSN | 2044-6055 |
Keywords | Adult, Cohort Studies, COVID-19, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Reinfection, SARS-CoV-2, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus |
Abstract | INTRODUCTION: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 re-infection has not been widely evaluated in low-income and middle-income countries. Understanding immune responses elicited by SARS-CoV-2 natural infection and factors that lead to re-infection in a community setting is important for public health policy. We aim to investigate the risk of primary infection and re-infection among those without and with evidence of prior infection as defined by the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A baseline seroprevalence survey will test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthy adults in Vellore, India. Based on an expected seropositivity rate of 50% in the general population, with annual attack rates of 12%, 6%, 4.8% and 4% among those unvaccinated and seronegative, vaccinated and seronegative, unvaccinated and seropositive, and vaccinated and seropositive, respectively, we will recruit 1200 adults who will be followed up for a total of 24 months. Weekly self-collected saliva samples will be tested by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) to detect SARS-CoV-2 infections, for a period of 1 year. For any person testing RT-PCR positive, blood samples will be collected within 2 days of RT-PCR positivity and on days 30 and 90 to assess the kinetics and longevity of the antibody responses, B cell memory and T cell memory post-infection. The data will be analysed to estimate seroprevalence at baseline and over time, the risk factors for infection, rates of primary infection and re-infection, and provide a comparison of the rates across groups based on infection and vaccination status. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB No: 13585) of Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore. The results of the study will be made available through journal publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Central Trial Registry of India: CTRI/2020/11/029438. |
DOI | 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059869 |
Alternate Journal | BMJ Open |
PubMed ID | 35613771 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC9130666 |
Grant List | INV-024915 / GATES / Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation / United States |